Staff Members

Our experience provides a solid foundation for Economic Development comprehensive business model. Our professional skills include site or building identification, workforce training, incentives facilitation, infrastructure assistance, rail and port assistance, and more.

In addition, our staff can also arrange custom site and building tours, schedule meetings with community officials and arrange introductions to necessary business contacts. Contact us today.

Merle Johnson

Executive Director

Merle Johnson

Executive Director

Merle Johnson was appointed as the Executive Director for the Orangeburg County Development Commission in January 2023. Merle has over 17 years of economic development experience, and his wealth of knowledge includes extensive work in new business recruitment, retention and process improvement initiatives that support successful business development efforts.

Prior to joining the OCDC, Merle served as the Director of Economic and Community Development for the City of Greenville. He led the City’s efforts to strengthen the business environment and economy while ensuring that the unique character and tradition of Greenville was maintained. His leadership resulted in the growth of public-private partnerships, the relocation of two corporate headquarters and the expansion of Kiyatec to Main Street Labs on Main Street in downtown Greenville.

Merle also served as the Deputy Director for the Charleston County Economic Development office. He was responsible for setting the strategic direction for three primary missions: recruitment of new industry, the care and feeding of existing industry and fostering a pro-business climate.

Merle began his economic development career as a Project Manager for the Charleston Regional Development Alliance where he supported the counties in the recruitment and expansion of numerous companies to the tri-county area and marketed the region as a preferred place for business and talent.

Merle was born in Seoul, South Korea. He earned his Bachelor of Science degree in Mathematics and Computer Science at the United States Coast Guard Academy in 1996. Merle is excited to work with the team and stakeholders in Orangeburg County to support the businesses and talent while growing the economy for everyone.
Bradon Snelgrove

Research/Grants Manager
Bradon Snelgrove

Research/Grants Manager
Bradon (Brad) is a native of Orangeburg County raised on a family farm just outside the town of Rowesville. Prior to his position with the Orangeburg County Development Commission he has over 18 years experience in many different aspects of industry and sales.

Bradon is a graduate of the University of South Carolina with a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration and a major in Marketing. He is also a graduate of both the South Carolina Economic Developer’s School and the University of North Carolina’s School of Government’s Basic Economic Development Course.

Bradon is responsible for gathering and maintaining various and numerous databases used in the recruitment of industry. He is also responsible for all other detailed and comprehensive research requirements of the Development Commission.

Bradon’s goal is to assist in the recruitment of additional companies and jobs to Orangeburg County while maintaining and expanding the existing companies currently located in the County.

Contact Brandon

(803) 536-3333

Brad@ocdc.com
Lee L. Given

Executive Assistant

Lee L. Given

Executive Assistant

Lee L. Given has worked with the Orangeburg County Development Commission since January 2017. In 2018 she graduated from the South Carolina Economic Development Institute. The Institute serves to educate those who support and participate in economic development activities in their communities while providing unique and innovative development approaches for implementation in local communities.

Lee has an extensive history of volunteering and community service. Before moving to Orangeburg in 2009 from St. Petersburg, FL, she sat on numerous boards and committees planning special events and fundraising for a children’s hospital, a girl’s home, an educational aquarium and several other non-profits.

She currently serves on the Regional Medical Center Foundation Board (having chaired their Silent Auction and Gala Corporate Sponsorship Committees) the Orangeburg County Council on Aging Board and the Economic Development Committee of the Downtown Orangeburg Revitalization Association. She is active with the Rotary Club of Orangeburg-Morning having served as President during 2015/2016, volunteers several times a year with Camp Hands of Hope, a weekend of healing for children who have experience a loss of a family member or loved one. She is also a Committee Member for the Orangeburg National Wild Turkey Federation Banquet/fundraiser.

Married in 1984, Lee and her husband Chris, reside in Orangeburg and have two adult children and one grandson.
Ciara L. Williams

Project Manager

Ciara L. Williams

Project Manager

Ciara Williams was appointed Project Manager for the Orangeburg County Development Commission in January 2022. She is a native of Newport News, Virginia and a graduate of South Carolina State University with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Communications.

Prior to joining the Orangeburg County Development Commission, Ciara has worked in leading major product launches and marketing campaigns across food packaging and global power tools manufacturing companies with Genpak and Apex Tool Group. With a firm grasp on manufacturing, production processes, marketing and communications, she attracts increased capital investments, diversifies employment opportunities, and implements marketing strategies for OCDC. She also has a passion for serving in the community from previous volunteer opportunities.

Recent News

March 15, 2023

Mar 15 2023

Hounen Solar establishing first U.S. manufacturing operations in Orangeburg County

March 13, 2023 Orangeburg, SC – Hounen Solar (Hounen), a global solar panel manufacturer, today announced plans to establish its first United States manufacturing operations in Orangeburg County. The company’s…

November 19, 2022

Nov 19 2022

Pet Supplies Plus making its home in Orangeburg; distribution center plans to employ 275

Michigan-based Pet Supplies Plus expects to begin operations at its 534,702-square-foot Orangeburg distribution plant within months. “We are hoping by early January we would be able to start receiving property…

August 19, 2022

Aug 19 2022

Kuntai establishing operations in Orangeburg County

$1.5 million investment to create 41 new jobs COLUMBIA, S.C. – Kuntai (North Charleston) Limited Corporation (Kuntai), an automotive parts manufacturer, today announced plans to establish operations in Orangeburg County.…

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Merle Johnson

Merle Johnson

Bradon Snelgrove